If you’ve been putting off resolving a legal matter, here’s a good year-end reminder: certain attorney fees can be deductible on your 2025 tax return if they’re paid by December 31.

If you’ve been putting off resolving a legal matter, here’s a good year-end reminder: certain attorney fees can be deductible on your 2025 tax return if they’re paid by December 31. While not all legal fees qualify, the IRS allows deductions for fees related to producing taxable income, collecting or securing alimony, certain employment claims, and other specific situations. The key is timing — deductible fees generally count in the year they’re paid, not when the work was performed, so making that payment before the end of the year can give you a tangible tax benefit. As always, keep detailed invoices and consult with a tax professional to confirm that your particular fees are eligible and to make sure you maximize any deduction available to you.